Chapter 95: Supplementary Lesson (3)

*Whistle~ Whistle~*

Cho Un-hwi whistled cheerfully as he walked, enjoying the feeling of his muscles after a good workout.

“It’s good to move your body once in a while.”

Especially when you’re feeling down.

He arrived at the Euncheon Hall gate and found the Dongcheon Hall instructors already waiting for him.

“Oh my, Instructor Cho, you’re alone today?”

“The students are taking a break today. They trained too hard.”

“They’re working hard.”

“They’re so enthusiastic that I had to work up a sweat myself.”

“It’s wonderful to bond with your students through training.”

“I agree.”

He wasn’t sure if the students, who were probably lying down somewhere, enjoying the cool night air, would agree.

Instructor Yang, the last to arrive, apologized, “Sorry I’m late. I had some things to take care of.”

“Alright, let’s open the gate.”

The gatekeeper turned the crank, and Instructor Yang said, “Attention, everyone. I have a brief announcement before the gate opens.”

He cleared his throat and said, “We’ll be assigned official quarters at Euncheon Hall in fifteen days.”

Instructor Jo Hyeon jumped up in excitement.

“Really?!”

The other Dongcheon Hall instructors were also delighted.

“Wow, they’re finally recognizing us as colleagues.”

“They’re finally giving us a place to stay.”

“That’s great news. The commute has been killing us.”

The instructors were generally pleased.

‘It’s not easy to commute to this crazy place every day.’

Due to security reasons, they were only allowed to enter in the morning and leave in the evening.

It was a hassle.

‘And the distance…’

The commute was so long that it felt like they were crossing a small city. They were always sleep-deprived in the morning and exhausted in the evening.

‘Well, at least I have less to worry about now.’

But there was one thing he missed.

‘It’s not easy to meet with Yul at Euncheon Hall.’

Unlike the lax security at Dongcheon Hall, Euncheon Hall had strict boundaries between different areas, which limited his movements.

‘It was easier to communicate with Danya at Dongcheon Hall.’

There were always pros and cons.

But at least it would be easier to search for his wife now.

He felt a tug on his sleeve.

“…That’s a bit disappointing.”

Yeo Mae-hong smiled faintly.

“I’ve grown quite fond of the attic at Dongcheon Hall.”

“Me too.”

He had grown attached to it, even though he had only lived there for six months.

The dimly lit room.

The dusty old bed.

The beautiful view at sunset.

“I’m glad we’re temporary instructors.”

“…?”

“Because we can go back sometimes.”

“Ah, that’s right. We’re supposed to return for important events at Dongcheon Hall.”

He had forgotten about that.

‘That’s good. I can use that opportunity to contact Danya.’

He would make good use of it until he was fully integrated into Euncheon Hall.

*Poke.*

Cho Un-hwi winced as someone poked him in the side.

“What was that for?”

“…You’re not going to break down any walls at Euncheon Hall, are you?”

“Why would I do that?”

He was baffled by her question. Yeo Mae-hong’s expression relaxed.

“Good.”

Cho Un-hwi tilted his head, watching her walk away cheerfully.

‘Women are so mysterious.’

Wait, what if his wife started acting strangely too?

He had a lot to think about.

***

That night…

He was lying in bed, killing time, when he felt a familiar aura.

He sat up and flicked his finger, intercepting Yeo Mae-hong’s internal energy transmission from the next room.

He leaped into the air and flew towards the source of the aura, finding Dokgo Yul waiting for him.

“Master.”

“What’s going on?”

He had said he was busy with Euncheon Hall matters, so this was an unexpectedly early meeting.

Dokgo Yul said in a serious tone, “There’s something urgent I need to report.”

Urgent, huh?

He crossed his arms, and Dokgo Yul said, “It seems that a Murim Alliance master clashed with the Heavenly Destruction Society.”

“Already? Who?”

“I don’t know yet. Security is tight, and all communication has been cut off.”

“Sigh… they’ve already started taking control of the communication network? This is serious.”

Taking control of the Murim Alliance’s communication network was a long-term project that the Heavenly Destruction Society had been working on.

It was their trump card, to be used in their upcoming war with the Murim Alliance.

It was surprising that they were already using it.

“The Murim Alliance is actually doing something.”

He hadn’t expected the sluggish Murim Alliance to clash with the Heavenly Destruction Society so soon.

In his previous life, they had only started moving after their eyes and ears had been completely cut off.

‘Is this also a butterfly effect from me handing over the Hao Clan and the Green Blood Swordsman?’

It was a good outcome.

“I’m curious. Why is the Heavenly Destruction Society, which usually doesn’t react to anything, acting so frantically?”

“I heard that the Murim Alliance discovered traces of human sacrifice. Maybe that’s why.”

Usually, when a cult with heretical teachings appeared, the government would take care of them.

So cultists feared the government’s soldiers, armed with cavalry and cannons, more than they feared Murim masters.

But Cho Un-hwi shook his head.

“No way. They have agents in the government too.”

“Then… maybe it’s because of the ‘Blood Tear Stone.’”

“Blood Tear Stone? What’s that?”

“They say it’s a jewel that was obtained from the altar where they were performing human sacrifices.”

Cho Un-hwi’s voice suddenly turned sharp.

“…-Resurrection Stone.”

“Resurrection Stone? No, it’s definitely a blood-red stone.”

“No, I understand now. I understand why they’re acting so desperately.”

Dokgo Yul asked, “You’re saying it’s really because of the stone?”

He had to tell him one of the Heavenly Destruction Society’s secrets.

“The red stone, the Blood Tear Stone, you said? It’s no ordinary object.”

It was a stone that had been with the Heavenly Destruction Society from the beginning.

It was the only stone that had survived until the end of the world.

“It’s a stone that can only be obtained by sacrificing countless lives and with a stroke of luck. Some call it the Stone of Death.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“Yes, and it’s extremely dangerous.”

He recalled a piece of history from his faded memories.

“It’s a treasure that’s unmatched in the world for those who practice demonic arts. It accelerates their cultivation, and if they’re compatible with the stone and can fully absorb its power, they can even become peerless masters.”

“…It’s more valuable to demonic practitioners than any legendary elixir.”

“Yes, so it’s understandable why the Heavenly Destruction Society is in such a frenzy.”

Dokgo Yul’s expression turned grim.

“What should we do?”

“What do you mean, what should we do?”

“Just wait and see.”

Dokgo Yul, surprised by his simple answer, protested, “We can’t just let them get their hands on such a dangerous object, can we?”

“There’s an easy way to deal with it without any effort.”

Cho Un-hwi chuckled.

“I told you, there are people who are ‘compatible with the Blood Tear Stone and can absorb its power.’”

“Yes, you said they would become peerless masters.”

“Those who are compatible with the Blood Tear Stone… they’re called the ‘Apostles of Heavenly Destruction’ within the Society.”

“Apostles… they’re dangerous individuals.”

People who could become peerless masters by absorbing the power of the Blood Tear Stone…

Dokgo Yul repeated the name several times to himself, feeling a sense of urgency.

Cho Un-hwi continued, “The Heavenly Destruction Society’s goal is to awaken the Apostles through the Blood Tear Stone and usher in the era of Heavenly Destruction.”

The era of Heavenly Destruction.

A world of despair, where everything was destroyed.

“Now, here’s a question.”

*Clap!*

He clapped his hands.

“What’s the most effective way to stop their plan?”

“Destroy the Blood Tear Stone, of course.”

“Wrong. The Blood Tear Stone is indestructible.”

“Find the ‘Apostles’ and assassinate them before they awaken.”

“Wrong. We won’t even know who they are until they reveal themselves. Well, it would be nice if they just showed up on their own.”

Dokgo Yul frowned, unable to come up with a solution.

“…I don’t know, Master.”

How could they possibly stop their plan?

Cho Un-hwi said, “It’s simple. We let the ‘Apostle’ take the Blood Tear Stone.”

“…But that’s a problem, isn’t it?”

“Just listen.”

He raised his fist and counted on his fingers.

“First, they take the Blood Tear Stone.”

“Second, the ‘Apostle’ obtains the Blood Tear Stone.”

“Third, the Apostle absorbs the Blood Tear Stone and becomes a peerless master.”

He then added casually that the Heavenly Destruction Society’s agents weren’t just in the righteous faction, but also in the Iron Thread Alliance and even the Imperial Palace.

Dokgo Yul, imagining the end of the world, asked, “…Then the world will be destroyed, won’t it?”

How could they possibly deal with countless traitors in the righteous and demonic factions, as well as powerful figures in the Imperial Palace, led by a peerless master?

But Cho Un-hwi shook his head.

“The fourth step is the important one.”

He raised his ring finger.

“Fourth, he appears before me.”

He raised his pinky finger.

“Fifth, I greet him warmly and kill him.”

“See? Easy, right?”

*Gulp. Gulp.*

Dokgo Yul, the rising star of the righteous faction and former member of the Dark Soul Black Wind Guard, was speechless.

***

‘I really don’t understand Master.’

He wasn’t sure if he should call him bold or reckless.

But his worries vanished when Cho Un-hwi continued, “The only problem is that it’ll be annoying. He’s supposed to be a peerless master, so he’ll be very sensitive. If he runs away the moment he sees me, it’ll be a pain to find him.”

“…Do I have the wrong idea about peerless masters?” he asked, but…

“You’re right.”

…was the answer he got.

‘I give up.’

But he had to trust his master.

He suppressed his worries and said, “The Hao Clan has requested our help.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes, it seems that the Heavenly Destruction Society is desperate enough to mobilize their remaining agents within the Hao Clan.”

“That’s a headache.”

“So I called Danya. What should we do?”

“Why are you asking me that? You already know what to do.”

“Unleash Danya.”

That’s what he was for.

He then added,

“I’d like the Murim to be peaceful while I’m searching for my wife.”

So…

Before his real life at Euncheon Hall began…

“Shall we take care of those moths who are flying towards their doom?”

Dokgo Yul bowed and said,

“As you wish, Master.”